Memory is defined as capacity to remember and to reproduce events, or any other information at the required moment. The entire nervous system is responsible for memory. However, the "intellectual" memory is mainly taken care of by the brain itself (cerebral cortex).
The human brain evolved to code and interpret complex stimuli - images, colour, structure, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, spatial awareness, emotion, and language - using them to make sophisticated interpretations of the environment. Human memory is made up of all these features.

There are three types of memory, depending upon the time duration these are available for. Memories such as phone number are required for as short time as some seconds and are known as short term memory. This type of memory lasts for halfminute and has a limited capacity of 5-10 items.

Intermediate long-term memories are those, which last for days to weeks but will be eventually lost if their tracks are not used frequently.

Long-term memories are those which are imprinted on our minds for years. The process, which the brain must undergo for storing long-term memories is known as consolidation. That means that any information must be available to brain for a minimal period of 5-10 minutes in order to store it for a longer duration. All our personal experiences and knowledge are stored in long-term memory.

How Memory Works
Memory works by making links between information, fitting facts into mental structures and frameworks. The more you are actively remembering, the more facts and frameworks you hold, the more additional facts and ideas will slot easily into long term memory.

• One aspect of memory is getting the information in the first place (encoding) (if you are not paying attention to what I am saying right now, you won't remember this)
  
  
• Once information is encoded, it must be stored within our brains (storage) (if there isn't a neural representation of the experience in your brain, there will be no maintenance of that experience overtime)
  
  
• Finally after encoding and storing the information, you must be able to retrieve it (retrieval)

(you probably have all experience the tip-of-the-tongue phenomena, where you are certain that you know a word or fact, but are temporarily unable to recall it)

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Are you really suffering from a memory loss???

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Most people believe that the memory gets diminished with age. However this is not true. This is true only for people who do not use their memories properly. Memory is like muscles - the more it is used, the sharper it gets. Similarly neglected use of this faculty of brain causes flaccid memory. For example, every one uses memory extensively during the learning phase, in student life. But after achieving the final goals of education, the use of memory gradually declines, making it less and less effective.
Also to think that memory is getting weakened day by day is more of a matter of attitude then a real problem and much less of it being a disease!!

The best way to keep your memory sharpened is to use it as actively as you used for your studies in school and college!!

What makes you forget things?? Here are some common reasons

• Any distraction from the information or event, which we need to remember interrupts memory processing
• Since memory is a complex phenomena, in which major contribution is from the sense organs of hearing, touch, smell and vision, damage to any of these sensory organs causes impaired memory.
• Mental or physical fatigue and emotional stress can interfere with processing of memory.
• You will tend to forget things more easily, which you mentally label as unimportant.
• Taking any of the following prescription drugs can slow the memory processing. These are
  • methyldopa
  • amoxapine
  • flurazepam
  • amitryptyline
  • meprobamate
  • haloperidol
  • propranolol
  • thioridazine
  • meprobamate
  • ortryptyline
  • famotidine
  • oxazepam
  • amantadine
  • cimetidine
  • diazepam
  • ranitidine

Since these drugs are prescribed by a qualified physician, if you are taking any of these medications and are suffering from memory loss, you MUST consult your physician and MUST not change dosage or stop medicines on your own.

Some memory loss occurs as we grow older and our brain starts processing information more slowly. Dismissing memory lapses as "normal aging" is understandable and easy, If you are being more and more forgetful every day which might affect your daily life, you need to give it a serious thought, since ignoring memory loss may have important consequences beyond the frustration or embarrassment you may feel.

Mild form of memory loss is known as mild cognitive impairment. Studies indicate that people with this condition:

• work harder to remember things
• experience more rapid memory decline than their peers
• are at a higher risk for developing Alzheimer's disease compared with others of the same age.

Common causes of mild memory loss:

It is a common observation that people, who are leading a healthy life, some times suffer from transient memory loss. This is mostly as a result of - ·

• Excessive stress in work or in personal life has an adverse effect on functioning of brain. A stressed brain is not able to reproduce the stored data at the instance when it is required, resulting in transient memory impairment.
• Lack of sleep - For a normal functioning of brain, physical as well as mental rest for at least 6-8 hours is required. Constant lack of adequate sleep causes mental fatigue and might result in mild memory loss.
• Depression is another cause of mild memory loss.

What can I do to prevent mild memory loss?

1. Sharpen your memory through exercise. Mental exercises, which work as tonic for your memory are useful in keeping your memory sharpened. Crossword puzzles, mind games, and challenging reading or educational classes can all help you keep your brain agile and strong.
2. Physical exercise is as useful for retaining normal mental functions as for maintaining physical health.
3. As with all the diseases or aging problems, diet plays an important role in maintaining your memory. For example, use of brain specific antioxidants such as Bacopa monnieri is proven to enhance the memory.
4. Chronic and excessive consumption of alcohol is associated with adverse effects on memory, concentration and retaining power of brain. Hence, it is required to have a strict control on your alcohol intake.
5. Emotional stress and anxiety also contribute in causing mild memory loss. Relaxation therapies such as Yoga along with antistress and anxiolytic diet supplements such as Withania somnifera have proven effect in controlling stress. Though Alzheimer's disease is charachterized by very rapid memory loss, it is a serious disease, which requires immediate consultation of a medical practitioner. It is a progressive degenerative disease of cerebral cortex that causes a steady decline in thinking, remembering, and reasoning severe enough to interfere with everyday life.